Chapter 319: Leader's Confusing Behavior

"Ling'e, three; Master, three; Youqin, three..."

Li Changshou roughly calculated the usage of the Flat Peaches and realized that unless he experimented with using them for alchemy, thereby wasting some, he would never finish all the peaches he brought back to the mountain sect.

To be safe, he couldn't directly give Flat Peaches to the Sect Master; after all, the Sect Master...

...knew too much! Li Changshou even vaguely felt that the Sect Master knew things he didn't, which always led to slight deviations whenever he predicted the Sect Master's reactions.

If he could refine elixirs with the medicinal properties of Flat Peaches, Li Changshou would certainly offer some to the Sect Master and other elders within the sect, helping to slightly increase the lifespan of True Immortal elders nearing their end.

Beyond that, the more one does, the more mistakes one makes.

Li Changshou had deeply understood the principle of "a peck of rice brings gratitude, a bushel of rice brings resentment" in his previous life.

After distributing the peaches, Li Changshou was surprised to find that his junior sister Youqin Xuan Ya was the least troublesome; he didn't need to explain much to her.

Li Changshou gave her a peach, she raised her hand to swear an oath, ate it, and immediately began her secluded cultivation.

This made Li Changshou vaguely worried that Youqin Xuan Ya might fall back into her old habits from before achieving immortality — blindly focusing on cultivation without understanding how to solidify her Dao foundation, which could lead to an unstable Dao fruit.

Youqin Xuan Ya was still far from her Golden Immortal tribulation, so there was no need for excessive worry for now.

It wouldn't be too late to secretly guide her cultivation once his own position in the Immortal Du Sect became more secure.

All things considered, apart from his "paper avatar social circle," these few trusted magical artifacts — *cough*, friends — were all Li Changshou had in the primordial world.

After reaching the Golden Immortal realm, Li Changshou increasingly understood the importance of "friends."

Every time he imagined being alone on Little Qiong Peak tens or hundreds of thousands of years later, no matter how high his cultivation or how strong his safety measures, he always felt that something was missing.

He wasn't one for crowds, yet he wished for activity to remain within his sight. When he felt a bit weary, a distant glance at the commotion would make him feel as though he were part of it.

Therefore, Li Changshou would help anyone who forged a good relationship with Little Qiong Peak, as long as it didn't involve karmic entanglements.

Just like now, he was flying on a cloud at a moderate altitude, drifting towards Dan Ding Peak to deliver peaches to Elder Wan.

A brocade box hung from his wrist, containing three Flat Peaches, a few side dishes, and a bit of longevity-enhancing wine.

Today, Li Changshou planned to use the 'Heartfire Burn' immortal consciousness poison elixir as a pretext, and secretly guide Elder Wan Linjun with the Grand Pure One's alchemy he currently mastered.

Once Elder Wan caught on, he would attribute his knowledge to accidental guidance from an esteemed figure of the Human School, then naturally present the 'Enlightenment Elixirs' and Flat Peaches.

If he offered the elixirs and peaches without explanation, Elder Wan likely wouldn't press for details, but it could easily leave a lingering unease in the old man's heart.

After much careful consideration, Li Changshou decided to take a small risk and proactively reveal some information to Elder Wan Linjun, dispelling any doubts the elder might have.

Upon entering Dan Ding Peak and meeting Elder Wan, Li Changshou bowed in greeting. The old and the young exchanged smiles.

Although Elder Wan's benevolent smile still sent shivers down one's spine...

Li Changshou chuckled, "Elder, are you well recently?"

Elder Wan Linjun nodded with a smile and gestured for Li Changshou to sit.

With a few small dishes laid out, a pot of fine wine, and a couple of alchemy and poison texts, an hour or two passed by.

Li Changshou's plan was proceeding rather smoothly.

Elder Wan Linjun quickly discovered that the alchemy expertise Li Changshou displayed today was beyond his comprehension.

Li Changshou then naturally took out the Heartfire Burn elixir and shared with Elder Wan Linjun the process of refining this immortal consciousness poison elixir and its several improvements.

"Changshou," Elder Wan Linjun said with emotion, then smiled 'coldly' and sighed, "Your mastery in alchemy is truly beyond my reach, and it fills me with considerable satisfaction.

I knew you possessed such insight and aptitude.

However... you've progressed a bit too quickly."

"Well, this disciple has had some fortuitous encounters."

Li Changshou glanced out the window, intentionally lowering his voice, and whispered, "Elder, please don't mention this to outsiders. This disciple was taught three chapters of alchemy by an esteemed figure from our Human School.

Recently, I have refined some spiritual elixirs that can help qi practitioners enhance their comprehension and break through bottlenecks. I have specially come to offer them to you, Elder!"

As he spoke, Li Changshou took out several porcelain bottles from his embrace and placed them before Elder Wan Linjun.

Elder Wan Linjun's gaze slowly shifted, from gratification to shock, and then back to gratification.

"Good, good... I know, Changshou, that your future in alchemy will be bright, enough to bring comfort for the rest of your life."

The old man waved his hand and continued:

"Such elixirs are exceedingly precious. The path to immortality is long; you should use them yourself. Even if you give them to me, it would be difficult for me to take another step forward.

Cultivation is like climbing a mountain, and my mountain only reaches this high."

Li Changshou, however, frowned deeply and bowed profoundly to Elder Wan Linjun, stating solemnly:

"Elder, the Dao has no end, but the heart can have barriers.

If one is trapped by such barriers, progress becomes impossible. Please accept these elixirs; if you have the desire to take another step forward, perhaps these elixirs can lend you a hand!"

Elder Wan Linjun furrowed his brow slightly, his eyes still calm, and said, "Alright, don't..."

"Elder!"

Li Changshou bowed even lower and said loudly, "In the path of alchemy, if not for you, Elder, guiding this disciple through the gate, how could I have achieved my current standing!

Please accept this disciple's heartfelt offering!"

Elder Wan Linjun frowned slightly and said, "Rise. If you continue to press with such sentiment, there's no need to visit next time."

"This disciple wouldn't dare!"

Li Changshou immediately lifted his head and smiled at Elder Wan Linjun.

Elder Wan Linjun was already examining the spiritual elixirs, clearly fond of them, and evidently valuing the alchemy methods more.

Seeing this, Li Changshou took out three Flat Peaches and naturally handed one to Elder Wan.

"Elder, please have a taste."

"Hmm," Elder Wan casually took the Flat Peach, his gaze still on the porcelain bottles. He took a bite, and his entire body froze, like a stone statue.

Li Changshou chuckled, "Elder, how is the peach?

You've already eaten it, so you can't suddenly turn hostile and send this disciple away!"

Elder Wan Linjun frowned and glared at Li Changshou, "Where did you get these peaches?"

"A gift from an esteemed figure, a gift from an esteemed figure. In any case, it wasn't obtained through trickery or deceit, so please rest assured, Elder."

Li Changshou smiled, "Elder, after you eat these today, you should immediately go into seclusion. These three peaches and one spiritual elixir are enough to help you break through one or two realms, making the Golden Immortal realm within reach.

If you can break through to the Golden Immortal realm sooner, it would be a truly wonderful event for our Immortal Du Sect. With an infinite lifespan, living as long as heaven and earth, you could freely delve into the paths of alchemy and poison; wouldn't that be splendid?"

Elder Wan slowly nodded, took another bite of the Flat Peach, and said 'coldly', "What other preparations have you made? Bring them out."

"There's also a point regarding the medicinal effects of these spiritual elixirs."

Li Changshou waved his sleeve, and a stack of dozens of bamboo slips piled up before Elder Wan Linjun.

Li Changshou stated earnestly, "Please read these before using the elixirs. If this disciple has misunderstood anything, you can correct it in a timely manner."

Elder Wan Linjun: "..."

"Elder, this matter must not be spoken of to others. This disciple wishes to cultivate in peace and not be... hmm?"

Li Changshou's words trailed off as Elder Wan Linjun nodded with a complex expression.

At this moment, Li Changshou's brows furrowed slightly, and he added, "Elder, this disciple has gained some insights. I'll meditate here for a while!"

"Very well!"

Elder Wan Linjun raised his hand and pointed at Li Changshou, and a circle of light green barrier enveloped Li Changshou.

If he were anywhere else, such a sudden premonition would usually prompt Li Changshou to discreetly multitask and secretly investigate its source.

But with Elder Wan, there was no need for such trouble.

His consciousness sank into his main body. A hazy light seemed to appear before Li Changshou's eyes, and he carefully tried to discern the spiritual sensation arising within his heart, but for a moment, he gained nothing.

There was only a feeling of... having been spied upon.

Li Changshou quickly realized that his primordial spirit was enveloped by a layer of profound Dao charm, which originated from the 'Boss Map' (Taiji Diagram) as Elder Pagoda referred to it.

Had someone tried to peek at him, only to be blocked by the Taiji Diagram?

No, that wasn't right...

The Taiji Diagram had been seen through! Otherwise, he wouldn't have felt such a strong premonition.

What was going on?

Had the two Saints of the Western Sect made a move? Had his true origins been exposed just like that?

Not quite. If the Western Saints had found him, he should have felt extreme danger, not just the sense that 'something happened.'

Before long, no trace remained in Li Changshou's heart, as if the previous sensation had merely been an illusion.

This...

Li Changshou was startled.

He quickly bid farewell to Elder Wan and immediately rushed to Potian Peak.

This time, he didn't bother to seek permission from the External Affairs Elder. He went straight to the painting of the Saint, took out three tall incense sticks he always kept on hand, and kowtowed thrice with utmost reverence.

The Saint's painting gently swayed, one corner slightly fluttering. A wisp of Dao charm, disturbing no one, solidified into two large characters in Li Changshou's mind:

"No worries."

Li Changshou's mind immediately settled significantly.

Clearly, his 'Taiji Diagram warning' had been broken, and the Saint Lord was already aware.

How much information was contained within those two words, "No worries"...

Li Changshou bowed before the painting for half an hour, pondering deeply.

At this moment, he could only make two simple conjectures.

First, a Saint probed his origins, breaking through the Taiji Diagram's concealment, but his own Saint Lord stopped them in time, which is why his Saint Lord said "no worries."

Second, a Saint had indeed seen through his origins, but his own Saint Lord believed there was no issue, thus saying "no worries."

The second option was the one more likely to cause future problems; the first option no longer required discussion.

Could it be that the one who just glanced at Li Changshou was a Lord from Jade Void Palace or Biyou Palace?

To be bolder, it could even have been... the Elder Lord of Zixiao Palace?

Why did they look at him?

And why did they look *at him*?

Li Changshou mentally generated a list of options, then continuously deliberated and used elimination, finally arriving at sixteen most probable scenarios, most of which were related to the Investiture of the Gods calamity.

Just as Li Changshou felt he was gaining some clarity, a slight surge of emotion arose in his heart.

This time, the message was quite clear, and the surge was very familiar:

A distinguished guest had arrived at the Sea God Temple.

Li Changshou dared not delay. His divine sense landed in the Grand Sea God Temple in Anshui City. He glanced at the divine envoys practicing Witch Clan combat techniques in the front and back courtyards, searched left and right, but found nothing unusual.

How could one strange event after another occur today...

Suddenly, from beside the divine statue, a deliberately lowered voice spoke:

"Chang Geng... Chang Geng? Can you hear me? Chang Geng? If you can hear me, give me a response, make this statue jump!"

Li Changshou: "..."

His statue would have to be able to jump first!

His divine sense looked towards the source of the voice. There was a faint dark shadow, and its shape... was a bit plump.

Li Changshou also recognized the voice; it belonged to Duobao Daoist, the senior disciple of the Jie Sect.

But why would such a distinguished figure be so sneaky when looking for him?

If something was unusual, it was likely a trick.

Li Changshou's divine statue remained motionless. An old-model paper avatar at the Heaven Immortal realm emerged from underground, ready to self-detonate at any moment.

However, just as Li Changshou's paper avatar poked its head out, a large hand appeared out of thin air, grabbed its arm, and unceremoniously pulled it into a familiar... earth cave.

Based on the cave, the slightly plump, fair-skinned Daoist in front of him was indeed Duobao Daoist.

After all, his unique divine ability was the Void Cave Master.

"Chang Geng!"

Duobao Daoist pulled Li Changshou's paper avatar down into a squat, then nervously looked around, and transmitted his voice directly to Li Changshou:

"You're in big trouble!"

Li Changshou held his breath and focused, yet he didn't panic. Remaining calm and composed, he asked, "Senior, what's wrong?"

"What's wrong? What else could be wrong?" Duobao Daoist said urgently, "To tell you the truth, I just left Biyou Palace and rushed here immediately.

Do you know that Junior Sister Yunxiao went to Biyou Palace to see Master!"

Li Changshou was instantly bewildered. How was this related to him?

"Um, this disciple doesn't know... Does the Immortal Maiden have an urgent matter?"

Duobao Daoist blinked, then chuckled mischievously:

"You little fellow, you call me 'Senior,' but Junior Sister Yunxiao you call 'Immortal Maiden.'

No way! No way!

From today onwards, you shall address me as... hmm... 'Immortal Male' doesn't sound quite right either..."

Seeing that Duobao still had the mind to joke, Li Changshou felt relieved and cupped his hands, "Immortal Venerable?"

"Acceptable, acceptable, but it sounds a bit distant. From now on, just call me Senior Brother."

Duobao Daoist coughed, giving Li Changshou no chance to refute, and immediately began to explain the cause and effect.

"Earlier, Master and I were in the palace eating peaches and listening to music... *cough*, Master was teaching me how to cultivate diligently, when Junior Sister Yunxiao suddenly arrived, scaring me so much I swallowed my peach pit!

Junior Sister Yunxiao said she had doubts in her heart and wished to ask Master to resolve them for her.

Master didn't dare be careless; Junior Sister Yunxiao rarely asked questions, but whenever she did, her questions would make Master ponder for a long time to answer, and she was prone to refuting Master's answers...

Sure enough, the question Junior Sister Yunxiao brought up today stumped even Master."

Li Changshou chuckled, "The Immortal Maiden is truly formidable, to have stumped even the Saint Lord."

"Saying that makes you sound like a stranger!"

Duobao, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, squatted with Li Changshou in a corner of the earth cave and muttered, "It wasn't Junior Sister's question that stumped the Saint Lord, but you, Chang Geng."

Li Changshou's smile immediately froze. Could it be...

Duobao sighed, "Junior Sister Yunxiao asked if she seemed to have entered a love tribulation, as her heart was constantly unsettled by thoughts, always thinking of one person, whose presence could even be seen within the Great Dao.

Logically, after cultivating for countless years, she shouldn't, couldn't, and wouldn't have such tremors. She was worried that she had been plotted against and wanted Master to help her investigate."

"And then?" Li Changshou couldn't help but press.

Duobao Daoist chuckled, "Master made a divination, which was blocked by the Taiji Diagram. He then personally summoned the Immortal Slaying Sword and, while the Taiji Diagram was momentarily off guard, sliced through its power and saw...

...you."

Li Changshou: "..."

Case closed!

His previous premonition was actually because the Grandmaster of Heaven, Tongtian, had poked him from afar with the Immortal Slaying Sword!

The primordial world was truly too dangerous!

"Hehe, scared now?"

Duobao Daoist bumped Li Changshou with his shoulder. "Don't worry, Master said that Senior Martial Uncle insisted on protecting you, re-isolating his divination.

But Master also said that with just one glance at you, he knew you would be an extraordinary figure in the future and had a significant connection with our Jie Sect.

Moreover, Senior Martial Uncle would certainly not use such matters to scheme against a Daoist disciple, so Junior Sister needn't worry too much.

See? Master is speaking up for you!"

Li Changshou was somewhat bewildered.

Why would the Grandmaster of Heaven, Tongtian...

Duobao chuckled:

"However, Junior Sister Yunxiao is truly not easy to fool. She asked Master several more difficult questions about love tribulations, leaving Master somewhat at a loss for answers.

Think about it, Master, as the revered Sect Master, couldn't possibly lose face in front of his junior sister, so he spoke a few mystical, profound words...

Next, Junior Sister will definitely come looking for you and ask you five questions.

You must answer according to what I tell you, ensuring your answers match Master's divination exactly. This way, your relationship with Junior Sister Yunxiao will become more stable, and my Master's reputation will be preserved.

Understood?"

Li Changshou frowned in thought, then quietly asked, "Senior, if this disciple says he doesn't understand..."

Duobao Daoist's eyes widened. He immediately stood up, raised his left hand high into the void, and shouted:

"Where is the Immortal Vanquishing Array Diagram!"